Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

Kazuki and the other two had been walking along the mountain trail for quite some time when Misty finally couldn't help but speak up. "Kazuki, weren't we going fishing? Why are we climbing a mountain instead? Don't tell me there are fish on mountaintops now?"

Kazuki smiled mysteriously, putting on a knowing air. "I just saw a special map in Kaiser's office."

"He marked a large lake on top of this mountain."

"There might just be a mysterious Water-type Pokémon hiding in that lake."

"A mysterious Water-type Pokémon?" Misty's eyes lit up immediately. She gripped her fishing rod excitedly.

"Really? Then let's hurry!"

But after a few moments, Misty suddenly seemed to remember something. Her face fell as she grumbled.

"Wait a minute, Kazuki—last time you took us to HopHopHop Town, you said the exact same thing! And what happened?"

"You talked me into catching that silly Psyduck!"

"Other than showing off once at the Fuchsia Gym, it hasn't done anything since!"

"All it ever does is stare into space and keep popping out of its Poké Ball for no reason!"

Just talking about Psyduck made Misty feel a headache coming on.

Kazuki laughed aloud. "Didn't Psyduck show off its abilities that one time? It's got a lot of potential!"

"Potential?" Misty rolled her eyes.

"Looks to me like it's just lazy! All it does is quack all day, and when it's time to battle, it hides behind Starmie!"

Kazuki shrugged with a smile. "Maybe it's saving up energy? When it finally erupts, don't get scared."

Misty snorted a laugh, clearly not buying it.

Still, she didn't complain any further. 

Psyduck might be slow and silly, but it was still one of her Pokémon partners. 

With her kind heart, Misty would never abandon a Pokémon casually.

The trio continued hiking up the mountain, and before long, the trail opened up to a stunning sight.

A massive mountain lake lay before them.

Sunlight glittered across the water's surface, turning it into a sapphire jewel nestled between the peaks.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Suzie couldn't help but gasp. 

"Who knew there'd be such a gorgeous lake up here!"

Misty was also taken aback by the sight. 

Her natural vitality around water was immediately triggered. 

All signs of fatigue vanished as she ran excitedly toward the lakeshore.

She dipped her hand in the water. The coolness made her light up with delight.

"The water's so clean! Maybe there really are some rare Water-type Pokémon here!"

Kazuki gazed out at the lake and activated his Aura Power, trying to sense the presence of any Pokémon within.

But the lake was too large, too deep. 

He couldn't fully detect everything—so for now, he had yet to sense the presence of Dratini.

Just then, Misty turned around and suggested enthusiastically, "Since we're here, how about we have a fishing contest?"

"Let's see who can catch the strongest Pokémon!"

Suzie smiled and nodded. "Sounds good. I haven't gone fishing in a while—it'll be fun to test my luck."

"Alright then, it's a match!" Misty swiftly set up her fishing rod, the butterfly ribbon tied beneath her halter top catching the sunlight as she bent down.

"Loser has to give the winner a massage!"

Kazuki gave a subtle smile without saying much. He was a man with the Fishing Master Aura, after all.

Fishing was child's play for him. But he didn't actually care about the contest results—his real goal was just one Dratini!

As for massages… whether it was Misty and Suzie giving him one, or him giving them one—either outcome was fine by him.

If the girls were massaging him, he'd get to enjoy their technique. If it was the other way around, well… then he could knead wherever he liked!

The contest officially began. 

Each of the three picked a spot, cast their lines, and quietly waited.

Minute by minute passed. The lake's surface remained still—no ripples at all.

Suzie frowned in confusion. "That's strange. With a lake this big, how can there be not even one Water-type Pokémon?"

Kazuki felt puzzled as well. Just a while ago, he was sure he had sensed Pokémon swimming under the surface!

But now? No Dratini, not even a single fish!

Did someone drain the lake with a pump?

If this was actually drained...

After sitting empty-handed by the lakeside for another thirty minutes...

Misty flicked her rod out yet again. The strap of her tank top had slipped down to her elbow. "This is ridiculous!"

She stomped her foot in frustration, not realizing one of the buttons on her front had popped off. A hint of pale skin jiggled at the edge of her white strapless top.

"Your girl here is Cerulean Gym's fishing champ!"

"And today, not even one lousy fish!?"

As soon as she said that, Misty's bobber suddenly dipped under the water.

"Hm? Got something?" She fumbled to reel in her line. Her T-shirt had rolled up, exposing a cartoon-print strapless bra as she tugged upward.

"Ha! It's a big one! I'm the future master of Water-type Pokémon—come up here!"

Using all her strength, she heaved up, causing a big splash—and out flew a wriggling red shape arcing through the air———

It was a Magikarp flailing wildly in midair.

"Ugh! You again?!" Misty clutched her head and wailed. Her bangs were soaked, plastered against her forehead.

Kazuki and Suzie got up to inspect Misty's big catch.

Suzie smiled as she explained, "Magikarp is one of the most widespread Pokémon in the Kanto region. Pretty much any body of water will have them."

Misty hesitated, then turned and asked, "Do either of you want to catch this Magikarp?"

Suzie tilted her head curiously. "What's up, Misty? You're not keeping it?"

"I'm not that into Magikarp, but I do know they evolve into Gyarados!"

"That kind of powerful Water-type could definitely help if you want to become a Water-type Pokémon Master!"

When Misty heard the word "Gyarados," her face immediately paled a little.

She shook her head and murmured, "Gyarados, huh? Eh... forget it, forget it! If you guys don't want it, I'm releasing it!"

Before she'd even finished talking, Misty was already tossing Magikarp back into the lake with her fishing rod.

Suzie blinked in confusion and turned to Kazuki.

Seeing her puzzled look, Kazuki stepped in to explain, "When Misty was little, she was once terrified by a Gyarados."

"Ever since then, she's had some trauma with Magikarp and Gyarados."

After saying that, Kazuki glanced over at Misty, who was trying to settle her emotions. Still afraid of even Magikarp? Looks like she's still got a long way to go before she can handle a mega-evolved Gyarados.

But Misty's talent with Water-types is top-notch. Once she overcomes that fear, she's bound to grow fast!

Suzie nodded in sudden understanding, gently stepped forward and patted Misty on the shoulder to comfort her.

"It's okay, Misty. Gyarados might look scary, but once they're truly yours, they can become an incredible ally."

Misty forced a smile. Clearly, she hadn't completely shaken off her unease. She sighed and gave a perfunctory reply: "Let's just… talk about this another time! Anyway, I've caught a Pokémon—so I win the contest!"

"Kazuki, I want you to massage my waist and shoulders!"

Clearly avoiding the topic of Gyarados, she made her demand.

Kazuki couldn't help but laugh. "You call that winning? Catching one Magikarp doesn't really count as impressive."

Misty shot him a defiant glare. "Then why don't you catch one, huh? You've been quiet this whole time. What, your skills aren't up to it?"

By now, she was already quite familiar with Kazuki. She had more or less gotten used to his various antics and wasn't afraid to challenge him..

What man could let someone say he wasn't up to it?

Countless ways to "punish" Misty flooded through Kazuki's mind. He was already planning how to teach her a lesson later.

Just as Kazuki was about to fire back, he suddenly felt something moving quickly through the water—thanks to his Aura Power.

Looking out over the lake, he smiled. "Misty, this contest isn't over yet! Let me show you what a real Fishing Master can do!"

He rushed back to his spot and prepared to reel in whatever mysterious creature was speeding toward him beneath the surface.

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